March for Science
Illustration

Project Type:  
Self-Initiated 

Role:
Illustration, Poster Design

Noteworthy scientists and climate change activists were chosen as subjects for these illustrations, and reference photographs were selected based on position, lighting, and similarity. A geometric illustration style was used, as the scientific and logical feel to it was fitting for the subjects. The application of the portraits was for use at the March for Science held in April of 2017. The march was an event organized to protest governmental censorship of scientifically-based facts, so posters, t-shirts, and informational cards were appropriate uses of the illustrations.

Research:

The images below were used to inspire the illustrations created for this project. Al Gore, Bill Nye, and Rachel Carson were chosen as subjects for these portraits because they are prominent figures on the topic of climate and the environment. The reference photographs were selected based off of position, lighting, and similarity. Different illustration styles were studied, including portraits drawn with thin lines and portraits made up of several geometric shapes. The geometric look was used as the final illustration style, as the scientific and logical feel to it was fitting for the subjects. Use of line repetition was also considered as a component of the portrait background.

Thumbnails:

Rough sketches were created for each subject based off of reference photographs. Layout, composition, and background were considered at this stage, as well as the relationship between the three portraits.

Color Sketches:

More detailed sketches were completed next, focusing on the location of light on the facial structures of the subjects. Black represents the darkest areas of the face, blue the next, white the second lightest, and white outlines with blue designates the highlights. The shapes formed at this stage were organic and fairly true to the reference.
 
After the initial color sketches, finalized drawings were created based on the same light planes. However, the planes were broken down into smaller, angled sections to show even more transitions between light and dark. Even though the final portrait sketches are more geometric, they add depth to the faces by breaking into more structures.​

Digital Drawings:

The final drawings were scanned and used to help construct the digital portraits in Adobe Illustrator. The color palettes for each portrait were chosen to represent the extremes of the environment, as the figures are well known for bringing awareness to the subject. Small, cell-like structures were used to create a background, resembling the geometric form of the faces.

Applications:

Applications for these illustrations include posters, t-shirts, and flyers for the March for Science on April 22nd, 2017.